The Central Alabama Fair has started accepting applications for its annual fair pageants.

Applications can be found on the Central Alabama Fair Facebook page and the fair’s website at centralalabamafair.com. Applications are due and must be postmarked no later than Aug. 31 with the $65 entrance fee.

“It’s such a wonderful opportunity for them not only to have fun but to make new friends,” said Lynn Haskell, Central Alabama Fair Pageants director.

Haskell has been associated with the pageants for the past six years. She said one thing she has noticed is the transformation some girls have by overcoming their fears of being in front of large audiences.

“It gives them a confidence they didn’t have before,” Haskell said.

There are six age groups for girls to compete, ranging from ages 3 to 19. The groups are Tiny Miss, 3- and 4-year-olds; Little Miss, 5- and 6-year-olds; Petite Miss, 7- to 9-year-olds; Young Miss, 10- to 12-year-olds; Junior Miss, 13- to 15-year-olds; and Miss Central Alabama, 16- to 19-year-olds.

The first two age groups to compete will be Petite Miss on Monday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. and Miss Central Alabama at 7:30 p.m. The next day, Young Miss will take the stage at 6 p.m. and Junior Miss at 7:30 p.m. Lastly, Tiny Miss will compete at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 with Little Miss following at 4 p.m.

All pageants will be under the pavilion at the Selma Lions Club Fair Park.

Every Tiny Miss and Little Miss participants will receive a goody bag and trophy.

“We want everyone that participates to have a good time and to walk away with that feeling of accomplishment regardless if they placed or were the winner,” Haskell said. “Our older girls are here to compete and of course, all are here to win.”

Winners in all the categories will have the opportunity to represent the Selma Lions Club in the Christmas Parade.

The 2015 group winners are Crimson Leigh Ann Park, Tiny Miss; Alyssa Marie Dempsey, Little Miss; Mary Karson Melton, Petite Miss; Kaylee Grace Whitaker, Young Miss; Lydia Henderieth, Junior Miss; and Mackenzie Lynne Smitherman, Miss Central Alabama.

For more information about the pageant, contact Haskell at 327-8679, Tracie Haskell at 875-7327 or Joy Haskell at 412-3030.